Grace Notes We're Back! - July/August Edition of the Grace Episcopal Church Magazine
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Grace Notes
July/August Edition of the Grace Episcopal Church Magazine
We’re Back!
First Eucharist in the Church post Pandemic— June 6, 2021
Grace Notes July/August 2021 Page 1
From the Rector
Dear Friends—
When I wrote last month about change, I didn’t know quite how
powerful that word would be. We are experiencing change at a rap-
id pace—in our culture generally, and at Grace Church in particular.
A month ago, everyone at the grocery store wore masks. Now,
about half of us do. A month ago, meeting for in-person, indoor
worship was still a hope. Now, it is a regular reality. A month ago,
we had on our staff five experienced, full-time employees. Now,
three of our members have left or leaving—including Father Jason,
who has done so much to support this church through change and
The Rev Anne Turner crisis.
Rector
Scripture tells us that change is in the nature of God. But I’m aware that change is also work, and, like
any work, it requires self-strengthening and self-care.
I want to offer some suggestions to you about how to use this summer to grow stronger and renew
yourself in this community:
• Acknowledge transition and loss. Father Jason’s last Sunday will be August 8, and we will
celebrate him both during the liturgy and at a festive coffee hour. Give him—and give your-
self—the gift of a good farewell, the kind of closure that offers blessing.
• Connect with one another. We of course have in-person worship and outdoor coffee hour.
But find other ways to re-establish relationships with this community that has been over
a screen for so long. One possibility: come join me for Thursday evenings from 6:00-7:00
at the Shirlington Dog Park for an “Episcopaws” in your week. (Yes, it’s an incredibly corny
pun.). You don’t need a dog to come.
• Connect with God. There are infinite ways to do this, of course: prayer, singing, journaling,
walking. You know best what feeds your spirit. My own contribution to this: during the
remainder of summer after Father Jason leaves (August 15-September 5), I’ll be preaching
a sermon series on “Surviving the Storm,” thinking about how we respond to difficult times.
(And—notice the connection: Shrine Mont this year takes its theme from Hymn 550, “Jesus
calls us over the tumult. ”See Wendy Murphy’s article on page 8)
• Connect with the future. For the first time in a long time, we can start to make plans. We
can with some confidence plan a trip to see grandparents or design a Halloween costume.
So look forward, and dream a little. If you have school children, come and bless their future
on Sunday, August 22, the week that school begins for so many. At the 9:00 service, we’ll
bless children’s backpacks and then celebrate outside with a special Children’s Coffee Hour
and play time.
I have no doubt more change is in the works, because that’s the way life happens. I hope and expect
that the September Grace Notes will include a welcome to new staff and an orientation to a new year.
Grace Notes July/August 2021 Page 2
On a personal note, I want to offer my thanks to so many of you who have been clear about your
support of me during this time—who are helping me find my way as I am still getting oriented (even
though I have served at Grace before, I still have a learning curve!), and who have my back as I navigate
the many transitions of pandemic and personnel. The best ministry is always shared, and I am so grate-
ful to share in it with such a talented, faithful, and loving community.
Yours in Christ,
Anne+
Farewell
(Sent to the parish on June 6, 2021)
Dear people of Grace Church,
I have been called by Bishop Peter Eaton to serve as Canon Missioner
for Congregational Vitality and Transitions in the Episcopal Diocese of
Southeast Florida beginning in September. I am grateful for this excit-
ing opportunity to serve God and the wider Church in such a unique
The Rev. Jason Roberson, way at the diocesan level.
Associate Rector
I am especially thankful for the past two years here at Grace, likely two
of the most challenging years in recent history, both at Grace and in the world. Serving alongside all of
you during this difficult time of transition and pandemic has taught me so much about courage, about
endurance, and about God’s abundant presence in the world. Each and every one of you has made me
a better priest through your service to the community, your faithful worship, and your witness to God’s
love in this world – I will carry you with me always.
I have so enjoyed working with Mother Anne since she arrived in January, and I’m thankful for her
guidance and support during this time of discernment around this new call in the Diocese of Southeast
Florida. Grace Church is poised and ready for this next chapter with amazing leadership, both lay and
clergy, and amazing parishioners who continuously give so graciously of your time, talent, and treasure.
Grace is a uniquely beautiful place, and I am fortunate to have spent over four years here with all of
you, both as a seminarian and as a priest. Thank you. I will keep you all in my prayers as I go.
With much love and many blessings,
Jason+
Grace Notes July/August 2021 Page 3
Gifts for the Wider Church
(Sent to the parish on June 6, 2021)
Dear Friends in Christ,
I know you are, like me, deeply saddened by the news of Father Jason’s departure. He has been a rock
for this community during the past two years of transition, pandemic, and upheaval. He has been a rock
for me, personally, in the four and a half months that I have been at Grace Church. His love and faithful-
ness have sustained us all.
But I hope that you will also be, like me, deeply joyful for this new chapter in his life. The presence of
the Holy Spirit is palpable in this call. Jason’s gifts for innovation, problem-solving, and transformative
relationships—gifts that he brought to Grace and which have been strengthened by this time here—will
serve him well. The wider church sorely needs these abilities, and he will do much good with them.
Jason’s last Sunday with us will be August 8. We love him well, and we will of course send him off him
well, too. More details about a celebration will come—as will more details about our next steps in
searching for new clergy.
With love to each of you, and in the love of Christ that binds us all,
Anne+
Left: Jason’s ordination
in South Carolina, 2017
Below: with Mae in
Maine, 2020
Jason as Seminarian at
Grace, 2017
Father Jason, Patii Culbrethe, and Mother
Anne at Graduation of Grace Episcopal
School, June 2021
Grace Notes July/August 2021 Page 4
Music Notes
Hymn Histories for July
I’ve written a short hymn history for one hymn from every Sunday in July. If you are
interested in learning more about our cherished hymns, please read Ray Glover’s The
Hymnal 1982 Companion found in our Grace Church Library.
July 4
718, “God of Our Fathers, Whose Almighty Hand” This, our national hymn, was writ-
Richard Newman ten for the centennial celebration of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1876,
Director of Music by the Rev. Daniel Crane Roberts, then Rector of St. Thomas’ Episcopal Church, Bran-
don, Vermont. Fr. Roberts sent his text anonymously to the commission revising the
Hymnal. The text was accepted and first appeared in the Hymnal in the 1892 edition. George W. Warren com-
posed his majestic tune NATIONAL HYMN for use with this text to be used as a hymn for the centennial of the
adoption of the United States Constitution in the Columbia celebration on October 8, 1892, at New York City’s
St. Thomas’ Episcopal Church, where he was organist.
Refresh thy people on their toilsome way, Lead us from night to never-ending day;
Fill all our lives with love and grace divine, And glory, laud, and praise be ever thine.
July 11
686, “Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing” This hymn was written by Robert Robinson in 1758 for the festival of
Whitsunday (Pentecost) at the Church of Christ in Angel Alley, Bishopgate, UK. The text first entered an Episco-
pal hymnal in the Prayer Book Collection (New York, 1826). The tune NETTLETON is an early 19th century Ameri-
can folk hymn. It was first published in Wythe’s Repository of Sacred Music: Part Second (Harrisburg, PA, 1813).
In this first printing, it was matched with Robinson’s hymn, but was in a much different rhythm format than the
later versions which became popular and are more similar to the version in our hymnal. The tune is possibly
named to honor Asahel Nettleton, a well-known evangelist who compiled the list of texts for Village Hymns for
Social Worship (New York, 1824). Both tune and text have been through a large number of versions in different
hymnals and collections of Sacred Harp music.
July 18
708, “Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us” This popular hymn has been in our hymnal since The Hymnal 1916 which
was the first edition of our hymnal to be published with both words and music. The author cannot be positively
identified. The text first appeared anonymously in Miss Thrupp’s Hymns for the Young (London, ca. 1830). Like-
wise, the tune SICILIAN MARINERS is from an unknown source. It is typical of Mediterranean popular tunes of
the era, and it first appeared in print as “The Sicilian Mariner’s Hymn to the Virgin” in The European Magazine in
1792. Through the years, a number of different texts have been associated with this tune.
July 25
511, “Holy Spirit Ever Living” This song of praise, in which the ongoing activity of the Holy Spirit in the Church is
vividly portrayed, was first published in London in 1922 in a fourstanza form as written by the Rt. Rev. Timothy
Rees, Bishop of Llandaff. Later, the hymn was rewritten into three stanzas. In this form, it was published in a
number of English hymnals. Our present text omits the first of these three stanzas which read, “Holy Spirit, ever
dwelling, In the holiest realms of light; Holy Spirit, ever brooding O’er a world of gloom and night; Holy Spirit,
ever raising Sons of earth to thrones of high; Living, lifeimparting Spirit, Thee we praise and magnify.” ABBOT’S
LEIGH, one of the most successful English tunes to appear since World War II, was composed on a Sunday morn-
ing in 1941 by The Rev. Cyril Taylor. Canon Taylor was then Assistant to the Head of Religious Broadcasting of
the BBC in their wartime headquarters in Abbot’s Leigh, thus the name of the tune. (Abbot’s Leigh is a village in
northern England.)
Grace Notes July/August 2021 Page 5
Vestry Perspective
With summer in full swing now, your Vestry is at our mid-year point as
well, working our individual parish team plans that each team set in place
through February and March for their ministry team for the year.
As you may know, each vestry member takes a role as a liaison to one of
Grace’s ministry teams. This year, we started calling these folks the “Vestry
team leads” and their counterpart leaders the “Parish team leads” -- so if
you’ve been hearing about “teams” around Grace Church, and wondering
Elizabeth Legere what those are, it’s a simpler naming for our parish committees, i.e. “Stew-
Senior Warden ardship team,” “Outreach team,” “Communications team” and so forth.
The TEAM name implies work, teamwork, and getting things done, which is the fruit of all the energy in each of
our teams at Grace Church! While our teams certainly are action-focused, and ministry-focused, the team concept
continues our long-standing tradition of shared leadership, lay-led actions and goals in our ministries, and ensures
a Vestry liaison to each team in the parish.
The Vestry and Clergy will be meeting for a mid-year all-day retreat during the month of July - a day together to
gather and work (in person for the first time this year!). I’m excited to share a working day surrounded by the
energy of being together, to “noodle” how far we’ve come since January (and frankly, how far we’ve come since
March 2020), and to continue our shared work assessing, planning, and goal setting for our ministry teams and
our leadership roles at Grace Church.
This year our Vestry team leads include: Carlos Arboleda - Pastoral Care; Ford Chinworth - Stewardship; Jenny
Cline - Education and Youth; Cleve Corlett - Treasurer; Tracy Enger - Fellowship; Erin Kelly - Education and Youth;
Dan Pattarini - Communications; Jennifer Pease: - Outreach; Robby Schrum - Evangelism; Kemp Williams - Wor-
ship
Join a team or re-join a team! Any parishioner wanting to get more involved in the parish or to bring your thought
and talents into any team, please contact me, our clergy or one of the Vestry team leads above!
Let’s keep it going. Showing up. Reaching out. Connecting. Asking. Noodling. Dreaming.
Elizabeth Legere
Grace Notes is published 10 times a year by Grace Episcopal Church, Alexandria, Virginia – monthly except for com-
bined July/August and December/January issues. The deadline for submitting copy is the last week of the preceding
month.
The next Grace Notes deadline is August 29 for the Septembert issue. Articles should be submitted by e-mail to grace.
notes@gracealex.org. All articles are subject to editing.
Grace Church’s communications team includes
Dan Pattarini, Liz Rugaber, June Huber, Teresa Preston and Frank Waskowicz.
Grace Notes July/August 2021 Page 6
Vestry Team Leaders
Jenny Cline Ford Chinworth Carlos Arboleda
Education and Youth Stewardship Pastoral Care
Robby Schrum Tracy Enger
Evangelism Erin Kelly
Fellowship Education and Youth
Dan Pattarini Jennifer Pease Kemp Williams
Communications Outreach Worship
Grace Notes July/August 2021 Page 7
Shrine Mont -- 2021
Jesus calls us; over the tumult of our life’s wild, restless sea,
day by day his clear voice soundeth, saying, “Christian, follow me”
~First verse of hymn #550, “Jesus Calls Us O’er the Tumult” (Cecil
Frances Alexander)
My first experience with the Shrine Mont parish retreat was with
a different large Alexandria Episcopal church. They held their
retreat weekend in June, and I was urged to come with my (then)
6-year-old daughter. Being newly divorced, new to the area, and
new to the parish made the thought of such an endeavor a bit
daunting, but I was assured that it didn’t matter if I didn’t really
Wendy Murphy (left) with Jennifer Eckel at know very many people yet. Shrine Mont retreat veterans tried to
Shrine Mont sing-a-long in 2019. Wendy and describe what it was like and I didn’t really “get it” – as a lapsed
her husband David, are coordinating this
year’s parish event at Shrine Mont Catholic-turned-confirmed-Episcopalian from a small town where
we maybe had a yearly picnic, I had no experience with a whole
retreat weekend.
Having no idea what to expect, I took the plunge anyway, and signed us up. It was difficult enough getting on the
road on a Friday afternoon, not really knowing (yet) the extreme traffic craziness that is I-66 on a Friday in rush
hour. (Who knew rush hour started at 3 PM here?? Not me!) Add in a flat tire and my unfamiliarity with just how
far I was supposed to take I-66 before it joined I-81. (I think I turned around once and headed back North assum-
ing I’d missed the turn-off already because surely it couldn’t be this far…ah, life before GPS, smartphones, and
Google Maps!) So, I was pretty road-weary by the time we actually pulled up in Orkney Springs and got our room
assignment. My daughter took off exploring (“Stay nearby where I can see and hear you!” “Don’t get too close
to the pond!”), while I unpacked, settled in and freshened up after the drive. I don’t really remember a whole
lot of details about that weekend – but I DO remember the good food, fellowship, a few spirited games (Frisbee,
badminton), seeing some friendly faces I already knew from the parish, and meeting other parishioners in a
non-church setting. Our room was comfortable, simple, and sunny. My daughter loved that it was near the pond
(there were ducklings!!! and a mama duck!) and Nellie’s Garden. We both immersed ourselves in the beauty
of the grounds, taking long walks to explore and discover. She soon had a small coterie of kids near her age to
explore and play with, and we both had a fun and relaxing weekend. The closing service was held (SRO) at the
Shrine of the Transfiguration, and I was blown away by how lucky we were to get to worship in such a gorgeous
and spiritually inspiring outdoor setting.
Fast forward a couple of years, after David and I had transferred to Grace and gotten married. I tried to explain
the Shrine Mont parish retreat experience to my new lapsed-Catholic-but-received-in-Episcopal-church husband
and found myself saying things like “you’ll just have to go and experience it for yourself, then you’ll understand”.
While he is not into exploring, trying new activities, or hiking the grounds, he certainly saw the appeal of an
Adirondack chair or garden bench in a peaceful spot with a stack of books to read! And watching our daughter’s
delight with being there again was a sight to see! She couldn’t wait to go back to visit all her favorite spots.
Through the years at Grace (30 years this summer!), we kept coming back whenever we were able to get away
for that weekend – which was not always easy with the busy life of an expanding family. Even when 6-month-old
Connor had just gotten his first pair of glasses, we were at Shrine Mont the following weekend. We always came
away from the weekend refreshed, revived and ready for whatever challenges were coming up next. I’d ven-
ture a guess that many of us have similar stories about our journeys through Shrine Mont weekends, whether
there’ve been many, a few, or none (yet).
Sharing the various journeys we (as a parish) take in getting to Shrine Mont takes on new significance this year,
Grace Notes July/August 2021 Page 8
as many of our trajectories are vastly different than what we had expected only two short (but seemingly very
long and often tumultuous) years ago. How do you hear Jesus calling you “O’er the tumult”?
This year the Shrine Mont weekend may look a little different than past retreat weekends. Among the familiar
spaces, activities, and foods there will be some new components. Some of the ways in which we’ll gather might
be a little different than in past years, depending on what the protocols and diocesan guidelines are at the time
of the retreat. As organizers, we are planning for all contingencies, but hoping for the best. There will be a blend-
ing of old and new traditions, as we welcome Mother Anne Turner to her first Shrine Mont weekend as rector.
(She was with us in 2007 as an assistant.) Please plan to join us September 10th-12th as we re-gather to find our
way “o’er the tumult” together.
Wendy Murphy
Above left: Worshipping in the Shrine of the Transfiguration
Above right: The grounds of Shrine Mont
Right: Mother Turner in the follies in 2003
Grace Notes July/August 2021 Page 9
From the School:
Happy Summer to the Grace community! After holding a successful school year
in spite of the pandemic, our school families are enjoying time to relax and reju-
venate. School administration is using the summer months to plan for the 2021-
2022 school year which we hope will allow for a return to some of our treasured
traditions. We plan for an in-person school year once again, and we look with
optimism toward the future.
That future optimism also extends to our most recent gradu-
ates. On June 9, 2021, we celebrated the graduation of nine
fifth graders who will now matriculate to middle schools. We
were thrilled that new guidelines from the Bishop allowed us
Patti Culbreth to hold the service in the Grace Chapel where our students
Head of School amazed us by presenting legacy speeches about their time at
Grace Episcopal School Grace. It warms the heart to see young people truly “filled
with Grace” and ready for great success ahead.
The graduates will forge ahead at their new schools by embodying our character keys in their daily lives: compas-
sion, courage, respect, responsibility and honesty. We are pleased to announce our students will be attending
the following schools for Middle School: Blessed Sacrament School; Fairfax County Public School; Loudoun Coun-
try Day School; St. Anselm’s Abbey School; St. Anthony School, Kailua, Hawaii; St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes School
and St. Thomas More Cathedral School.
During the summer months, the school classrooms and playgrounds will host Baroody Camps for children in our
area. The sound of children in motion is always a joy. Many thanks to the church community for allowing the
school mission to be robust and successful. May God bless our Grace community as we rebuild and regather into
a new normal.
Until the new school year, “May the Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you, and be
gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace”. (Numbers 6: 24-26)
Mary E. Blouin
Mary E. Blouin, a resident of Alexandria, VA for the past 32 years, passed away
peacefully on June 13, 2021, with family by her side. At the time, she was a resi-
dent at Goodwin House, Baileys Crossroads.
Mary was born in Brooklyn, NY. She graduated from St. John’s University with
a Masters’s degree focusing on Art and Library Sciences and worked as a re-
search librarian at St. John’s University and American Cyanamide. After moving
to California she worked for the County of San Diego. She had an ever-curious
intellect, was a voracious reader, had a gregarious nature, and was cherished by
many friends. She was very active in the ministries of Grace Episcopal Church,
enjoyed following politics, loved walking on the beach, and was a lifelong Miami
Dolphins fan.
A service in celebration of her life was held at Grace on Monday, June 21.
Grace Notes July/August 2021 Page 10First Sunday Back in the Church --
June 6, 2021
Grace Notes July/August 2021 Page 11.. and Youth Sunday, June 6 2021 Grace Notes July/August 2021 Page 12
Parish Picnic _ June 13, 201
Grace Notes July/August 2021 Page 13Parish Picnic _ June 13, 201 Grace Notes July/August 2021 Page 14
Grace Legacy Society
“Planned Giving and Legacy Stewardship.”
“Using the gifts that God gives us to do the work that God calls us to do!”
Approved by Grace Church Vestry in September 2018 and formally
launched in August 2018, the Grace Legacy Society is an integral part
of the Grace Church stewardship program. The purpose of the Society
is to build the capacity for Grace Church to ensure vibrant ministries
of worship, outreach, education, and fellowship for future generations
of Grace Church. As an advocate and facilitator for planned giving and
legacy stewardship, the Society promotes awareness of the importance
of planning for the future of our parish by encouraging parishioners to
Jean Reed
Co-Chair
consider estate planning and planned giving as a part of their personal
Grace Legacy Society stewardship discipline as they plan for the future. Through planned giv-
ing and legacy planning education, advocacy and peer-to-peer contact
the Society supports the long-term objectives of the People and Vestry.of Grace Church, the steward-
ship team, and the Grace Church Trust, the parish endowment fund. Grace Legacy Society, Draft Grace
Church Policy and Procedures Manual. Spring 2021
Historically, prior to the establishment of the Grace Church Trust and the Grace Legacy Society, Grace
Church relied upon parishioner giving in response to an annual fall pledge campaign to support the day-
to-day operation of parish programs, and capital campaigns, special fund raising and bank loans (to be
repaid from operating funds) to support major new initiatives and capital improvements. On December
10, 2000, the Grace Church Trust was established as a general endowment fund for the Church that
would be funded by lifetime gifts or bequests designated by the donors, unrestricted bequests made
to the Church, and any other funds provided to the Trust by the Vestry. When sufficiently resourced,
the endowment would ensure a firm financial foundation for the Church by providing funds for the
Church’s ministries beyond what would be possible through its annual operating budget.
Over the years, Grace Church has been blessed by gifts from the estates of parishioners who made
provision for Grace in their will or contributed a special gift. One memorialized in the Commons and
another memorialized in the Malm Narthex, enabled the planned and detailed design phase of the
1994 addition to Grace Church, and early retirement of the mortgage on the church building. Other
bequests and fund raising contributed to the Grace Anew program and the enlargement of the balcony
and building of the new organ. Another memorial gift enabled the installation of our electronic bells
that call people to worship with a special “Grace Church signature ring” on Sundays and special holi-
days. The recent bequest from the estate of Fred and Liz Saalfeld enabled the installation of the new
video system that now permits us to live stream Grace Church worship and message literally through-
out the world. Still other planned gifts and bequests contributed to the establishment of the Grace
Church Trust and the increase in the parish endowment to the point that we are now able to draw on the
interest from the Trust to support new mission, ministry, and capital improvement initiatives, as outlined in Barry
Joyner’s article which follows in this edition of Grace Notes.
Circumstances of the 2020-2021 pandemic have not halted the mission of the Legacy Society but have placed it
in new perspective. An assessment, led by John Berry with the Legacy Society Brain Trust (Mary Hix, Mary Stew-
art, Bill Malone, and Jean Reed), and the good counsel of our clergy and friends of Grace Church, confirmed the
Society’s fundamental organizing principles, but emphasized the need to rejuvenate the Legacy Society program
as we move out of the pandemic mindset and move forward in mission. The urgency for all persons to recon-
sider and reinforce their stewardship commitment in support of the day-to-day operations, support, mission,
and outreach of the parish, and to also consider planned giving and legacy planning for the future have taken
increased importance as Grace reshapes ministry in these pandemic times and contemplates future mission.
Grace Notes July/August 2021 Page 15Planned gifts can take many forms. Your planned gift, your bequest to Grace is a unique expression of faith:
giving back to God a portion of what you have been blessed with in life and ensuring that the church you love
can continue in vibrant worship, fellowship, and outreach for generations. Planned gifts and bequests are differ-
ent from the important annual pledges and other donation you make to support the day-to-day operations and
mission of our parish. Legacy planned giving is not a gift made right now, but a statement of how you wish your
assets to be distributed in the future. Your planned gifts and bequests leave a legacy of caring for future genera-
tions of Grace Church.
Anyone who shares his or her intentions for a planned gift to the parish – for any amount- becomes a member
of the Grace Legacy Society. You do not need a sizeable estate to make a difference for the future. A gift of any
amount that is meaningful to the giver is indeed an important legacy. When you join the Legacy Society, you wit-
ness to the value of Grace in your life and encourage others to consider including Grace in their plans as well.
If you have questions about the Grace Legacy Society and about the Planned Giving and Legacy Stewardship
program at Grace Church, you may get a copy of the new, revised Grace Church Legacy Society tri-fold pamphlet,
or contact one of the Society members: John Berry, Bill Malone, Jean Reed, Mary Stewart
Grace Church Trust
The Grace Church Trust is the endowment for the parish. The Trust’s
assets are invested for the long term to support its mission: provid-
ing funds to the parish for capital improvements, major maintenance
projects, and outreach needs that are beyond the scope of the annual
operating budget.
The Trust was established in 2000, with a small grant from the Vestry,
and now—thanks to the faithful stewardship of many parishioners and
favorable market conditions—has assets of over $1.3 million. Since
2017, the Trust has been able to supply approximately $140,000 to
fund various aspects of the parish’s HVAC-replacement project. Trust
distributions helped pay for the engineering studies for project and for
Barry Joyner the purchase of needed supplies. More recently, Trust distributions
Chair have covered a major portion of the parish’s debt payments related to
Board of the Grace Church Trust the HVAC project.
The Trust Board looks forward to making similar contributions in the years to come, contributions that
will build and maintain both the physical and spiritual foundations of Grace Church. But to do this, we
need your help. The Prayer Book exhorts us, if we are able, to include the Body of Christ in our giving
plans—whether through bequests upon our deaths or gifts while we are alive.
In the months ahead, you will hear more from the Grace Church Legacy Society about making provi-
sions for the parish (including the Grace Church Trust) in your planned giving. Please pay prayerful
attention to their communications.
And if you have any questions about the Trust, please feel free to reach out to me or the other mem-
bers of the Trust Board (Elizabeth Legere, Bill Malone, Stephanie Reed, and Mary Steward).
Please note that the investment return of the Trust will vary from that of the underlying funds on ac-
count of the timing of withdrawals, additions, and transfers.
Grace Notes July/August 2021 Page 16Parish Graduates
Lucy Medley
earned a Batchelor of Arts in Art History
from James Madison University
She will start a Masters Program in Historic Pres-
ervation at University of Maryland in August
Nikolai Karamyshev (Son of Jennifer Long) earned a
Bachelor of Arts Degree in Film and Television from the
Tisch School of the Arts at New York Univesity
December 2020
Colby Gustafson (Son of Molly Sim)
earned a Bachelor of Music Degree in
Music Production and Recording
Technology from Shendoah
University. He relocated to Nashville
in May and is working as an intern at
Georgetown Masters while looking for a
full time positon in the Music Prouction
industry
Grace Notes July/August 2021 Page 17Why Grace?
We are the Whitworth Family, and we have been
members of Grace since 2018. We are a family of
five who attended the 9 am service before COVID.
Trey is a naval officer; Amy is a librarian; Taylor is
an analyst; Frank is a rising senior at Wake Forest
University (computer science major); and Claire is a
rising freshman, also at Wake.
As a transient military family, we have been mem-
bers of nine different church families! Trey and
I were both raised in the Episcopal Church - and
Trey’s sister is the Rector of Trinity Episcopal Church
in Indianapolis.
After 18 years away from northern Virginia, our
Amy and Trey Whitworth
family returned to Alexandria following a tour in
Stuttgart, Germany. Once the pictures were on the walls, we set out to find a church home. We start-
ed with the closest Episcopal church with a parking lot - and it was Grace! After two years of Protes-
tant services on Panzer Kaserne, we were immediately at home with the Episcopal liturgy and music
at Grace. Ironically, we recognized former Navy shipmates, Evan Robinson and Conway Ziegler. Those
rekindled friendships led to additional welcoming people at coffee hour - and we felt comfortable at
Grace right away.
Early on, Claire attended a meeting of her J2A group. The group was in the throes of fundraising for
their pilgrimage scheduled for Summer 2019. The destinations were Iceland and Ireland, two places
Claire had wanted to visit. Decision made - Claire had found her people, and we now had a church
home.
Recently, we have enjoyed the outdoor services in the amphitheater. Personally, I have thoroughly
enjoyed serving the community through Grace’s Food Pantry. At the outset of COVID, I was impressed
with how quickly and efficiently Grace served our neighbors. The army of volunteers and extensive do-
nations have provided food and necessities to so many families. Being a small part of that ministry has
been fulfilling and has allowed me to know more members of this amazing church family.
Church is a weekly reset for the
Whitworth family. Grace has
been a meaningful and beautiful
place to worship - and for that,
we are grateful.
The whole Whitworth family - left to right: Frank, Trey,
Taylor, Amy, and Claire
Grace Notes July/August 2021 Page 18Anglican Notes
On the calendar of the Episcopal Church, August 15 is the feast day of the Blessed
Virgin Mary – a celebration added by the American church in the revised Prayer
Book of 1979. The fact that it took more than 400 years after the English reforma-
tion to add this feast is emblematic of the caution with which Anglicans have his-
torically approached veneration of Jesus’ mother.
Cleve Corlett The Protestant reformers were wary of the popular devotion Mary occasioned
throughout the Western Church. Throughout the Middle Ages, Mary was consid-
ered a more approachable figure than Jesus, who was seen as a stern and distant figure. The Church
emphasized sin and eternal punishment but encouraged the idea that Mary could intercede with God
for those who prayed for her intercession. While not defined as dogma, which came later, both the Im-
maculate Conception of Mary and the belief that God took her bodily to heaven when she died – the
Assumption – were widely accepted.
For Lutherans and for the English Reformers, Mary continued to have a place of honor as Theotokos –
the dogma proclaimed at the Council of Ephesus in 431 that Mary was the God Bearer, the Mother of
God. English Prayer Books beginning in 1549 and continuing through 1662 supported five feasts devot-
ed to Mary – her conception (December 8), her birth (September 8), her
Purification (February 2), the Annunciation (March 25), and the Visitation
(May31).
Missing was August 15, the traditional date of her death and Assumption.
Calvin and other continental reformers paid lip service to Theotokos but
dropped public displays of veneration.
Things have begun to change throughout the Anglican Communion. Virtu-
ally all revised editions of the Book of Common Prayer have added August
15 to local calendars. The Scottish Episcopal Church treats August 15 as
the “Falling Asleep of the Blessed Virgin Mary,” a designation that follows
the Eastern Orthodox view of this feast, known as the Dormition of the
Virgin Mary.
In 2004, the Anglican Roman Catholic International Commission (ARCIC),
a group of officially appointed theologians from the Anglican Communion
and the Roman Catholic Church, published a joint statement titled “Mary:
Grace and Hope in Christ.” While some Anglican evangelicals looked on
the document with disfavor, it is a sweeping statement of ecumenical
solidarity.
In a nod to Protestant sensibilities, these theologians wrote that “We agree that doctrines and devo-
tions which are contrary to Scripture cannot be said to be revealed by God nor to be the teaching of
the Church…. that Christ alone, together with the Father and the Holy Spirit, is to be worshipped in the
Church.”
Grace Notes July/August 2021 Page 19But the statement also states that “We affirm together….that the teaching about Mary in
the two definitions of the Assumption and the Immaculate Conception, understood within
the biblical pattern of the economy of hope and grace, can be said to be consonant with the
teaching of the Scriptures and the ancient common traditions (emphasis added).” Further-
more, they wrote, “Mary has a continuing ministry which serves the ministry of Christ, our
unique mediator, that Mary and the saints pray for the whole Church and that the practice of
asking Mary and the saints to pray for us is not communion-dividing.”
While Anglo-Catholics have no problem with such statements, it is inconceivable that a body
officially representing the whole of the Anglican Communion would have published such
statements before the modern ecumenical movement brought a new willingness to take a
fresh look at old controversies. For the Roman Church this was aggiornamento, the opening
to fresh thinking as a result of Vatican II and Pope John XXIII. For Anglicans, Orthodox and
Protestants it was the willingness to revisit positions long considered closed. Still, even with
growing ecumenical agreement on Mary (and many other issues), no province of the Anglican
Communion has moved to declare the Immaculate Conception or the Assumption to be days
of obligation.
But there is an echo of traditional Marian veneration. The collect for celebration of the Eucha-
rist on August 15 in the Episcopal Church reads that God has “taken to [Himself] the blessed
Virgin Mary….”
Storage Space
As you may have noticed, we are out of storage space. We have many pro-
gram groups that need space to store items at the Church. We have gone
through the storage areas to
determine what is in each
storage space. We are ask-
ing all program groups that
have items stored at the
Church to go through the
items that you have stored
and evaluate whether you
need the items or if you can
Jane Rossman dispose or donate them by
Friday, July 30, 2021.
Thank you for your help.
Grace Notes July/August 2021 Page 20Grace-Ful Worship
Wanting
In college, I took a class entitled “Comparative World Religions.” It appeared
to me (and still does) that, after you allow for language and cultural differ-
ences, most of the principal religions teach the very same lessons. I recently
came across the phrase “seven deadly sins,” and decided to share with you
the type of comparison that we would prepare as a class exercise.
The “seven deadly sins,” also known as the “cardinal sins,” is a grouping of
“vices” from the teachings of the early Christian church: pride, greed, wrath,
envy, lust, gluttony and sloth. This grouping originated with the Desert
June Huber Fathers, was brought to Europe by John Cassian (4th century), referenced by
Pope Gregory the Great (6th century), and elaborated by St. Thomas Aquinas
(13th century). It became widely known outside the Roman Catholic Church through stories like Chau-
cer’s “Parson’s Tale”, and artistic works like Dante’s Purgatory. I think of them all as sins of unsatisfied
desire or, more simply, sins of “I want” (in some cases, “I don’t want”).
1. Pride = “I want to be important.”
2. Greed = “I want more” (money or possessions).
3. Wrath = I’m angry because “I don’t have what I want.”
4. Envy = “I want what you have.”
5. Lust = “I want” (something related to sex).
6. Gluttony = “I want more” (food or drink).
7. Sloth = “I don’t want” (to do anything at all).
The Christian church still teaches that these desires can be overcome with the seven corresponding vir-
tues of humility, charity, patience, gratitude, chastity, temperance and diligence.
The Buddhist faith, on the other hand, teaches that there are Four Noble Truths that explain human suf-
fering and how to overcome it.
1. The first is most often translated into in English as “life is suffering,” but a more literal
translation might be “life does not satisfy.” To illustrate, the Buddha taught that there
are three kinds of suffering: physical and mental pain from the stresses of life; emo-
tional pain from failing to get what we want; and existential suffering from just being
human.
2. The second is that this wanting (or not wanting) is the source of suffering. What we
want is never enough and never lasts.
3. The third is that there is a way to find an end to suffering.
4. That way, as explained in the fourth, is the practice of the Noble Eightfold Path.
In both faiths, Christian and Buddhist, we are taught that too much wanting ultimately leads to unhap-
piness because, as the Rolling Stones explained in one of their songs, “You Can’t Always Get What You
Want.” We cannot totally avoid wanting things, but we can overcome it by training ourselves to think dif-
ferently. For example, I once saw a plaque that read “Happiness Isn’t Getting What You Want But Want-
ing What You’ve Got.”.
Grace Notes July/August 2021 Page 21Results of the Grace Church
Spring 2021 Survey
Over the past year and a half, with so much happening in the world,
in our lives, and especially at Grace Church, connecting to and hear-
ing from members of the GEC community was a major priority for the
clergy and the vestry. Taking baby steps forward in reaching out to
members of the parish through a survey and through formal and in-
formal on-line interactions has resulted in an outpouring of thought-
ful, expressive, and honest input. This is a good thing and to all those
who offered their thoughts, the clergy and the vestry are grateful.
Dan Pattarini From May 28 to June 14 close to nearly 80 people responded to an
Communications online survey built on the Google platform. The brief survey sought
information on pastoral care, communications preference, parishio-
ner well-being, attitudes on regathering, and opinions on the vision and mission of the church. It also
included a few questions related to Stewardship and Shrine Mont 2021.
Following is a summary of responses to each of the survey questions.
Spring 2021 Survey Questions / Results
Word Clouds
Question 1. What is on your mind these days
when you think about Grace Church? What is In cases where survey respondents were allowed
most important to you? The vast majority of to respond using prose (short or long answer) a
those responding to this question indicated four word cloud has been included. The word clouds
areas as being most important or very important present the most commonly used words by re-
– Worship, Spiritual Growth/Healing, Connecting spondents. The larger the word, the more often
to Clergy and Fellowship. Nearly the same mar- it appeared in responses. Anyone wanting to
gins felt that Service – to the Grace Community know more about the survey or those wishing to
and to the Community outside Grace were most offer feedback and/or suggestions, please email
important, very important or moderately impor- the Vestry representative for Communications,
tant. Dan Pattarini (dan.pattarini@gmail.com)
Question 2. How do you want to learn, hear, or
know about what is happening at Grace Church?
The majority responding to this survey expressed
a preference for three methods of communication in response to this question – Email communication,
Grace Notes, and the Grace Church Web Site. Smaller but significant numbers of parishioners indicated
a preference for communication through videos or posts on social media.
Question 3. Which of the following scenarios are the most accessible to you, or would help you feel
the most connected to Grace pastorally or spiritually, or just in general? This question offered respon-
dents numerous choices when it comes to connecting with Grace. It’s unlikely to surprise anyone that
the response “Worshiping in the Nave” garnered the support of almost 94% of those responding. No
other response option even came close. That said, respondents expressed preferences for a myriad of
responses including – worshipping outdoors, gathering to walk/talk with clergy and fellow parishioners,
watching short videos from the clergy, gathering indoors and outdoors in small groups, watching wor-
ship services via live stream and receiving a personal phone call from clergy.
(Continued on Page 23)
Grace Notes July/August 2021 Page 224. We hear some folks feel disengaged, which is very understandable in this dislocated time. Others feel
more engaged than ever. If you feel dislocated, how can we help you re-engage with the parish? If you
feel engaged, what has kept you going?
5. This pandemic has created a huge gap with the world as we’ve known it. Instead of
simply going back, we want to go forward to church. What could we do to grow/adapt our
parish and bring meaning and spiritual well-being to you and to those not currently in our
church family?
(Continued on Page 24)
Grace Notes July/August 2021 Page 236. What specific talents or skills would you like to use to live your faith as part of the Grace Church community? What can you do to take up the Cross and follow Jesus? 7. Please share with us anything else that is on your heart: any needs, ideas or suggestions? We are here for you and we want to hear from you! If you have an idea for subject areas and questions for future parish survey’s please do share them with Mother Anne, members of the Vestry, Dan Pattarini, or Liz Rugaber. Peace and blessings to you all. - Dan Pattarini Grace Notes July/August 2021 Page 24
July Birthdays August Birthdays
July1 Helen Sweeney August 01 Joseph Foucart
July 2 Diana Kellogg August 01 Emily Graves
July 9 Robert Schultz August 02 Heather Hurley
July 10 Kimberly Broome August 02 Amy Phillips
July 10 Haywood Torrence August 02 Wendell Thomas
July 14 Marjean Kaufman August 02 Julia Zeigler
July 15 Evangelina Dobbs August 03 Joanne Davis
July 16 Karlene Kelly August 04 Madeline Prosser
July 16 Christopher Rugaber August 08 John Barker
July 18 Christine Crosby August 08 Diana Jarrett
July 18 John Hall August 08 Kimberly Reyes
July 18 David Murphy August 08 Robert Schrott
July 18 Ruth Schrott August 09 Erica McFarquhar
July 18 Celia Schultz August 12 Beverly Borgia
July 19 Cleve Corlett August 12 Claire Whitworth
July 20 Reba Winstead August 13 Peter Schrum
July 22 Carl Eckel August 13 Paul Winkel III
July 22 Barry Rosman August 15 Cynthia Fors
July 23 Vance Allen August 15 Matthew Ryder
July 23 Reagan Cline August 18 Isaac Reyes
July 23 Bob Moody August 21 Elizabeth S. Anderson
July 23 Pat Moore August 21 Aidan Smith
July 24 Emely Chamorro August 21 Frank Waskowicz
July 24 Michael Jones August 21 Aidan White
July 25 Jean Reed August 22 Melba Moran
July 26 Jacqueline Acabal Perez August 22 Katharine Nider
July 28 Annie Eason August 23 Keith Giacomo
July 28 Julia McClung August 24 Heather Murphy
July 28 Avery Meeks August 25 Jeffery Chiow
July 28 Jane Weaver August 26 Andrew Smith
July 30 Larry Wszalek August 26 Colin Stancil
July 31 Stephanie Reed August 30 Stephen Lovell
August 31 Susan Hayduchok
August 31 Kathleen Paige
August 31 Amorita Quintanilla
August 31 Catalina Velasquez
August 31 Timothy Willard
Grace Notes July/August 2021 Page 25Parish Staff
Anne Turner.................................................................................Rector
(rector@gracealex.org)
Jason Roberson...........................................................Associate Rector
(assoc.rector@gracealex.org)
Patti Culbreth.............................................................. Head of School
(pculbreth@graceschoolalex.org)
Peter Hanke........................................................Parish Administrator
(parish.adminisrator@gracealex.org
Richard Newman.................................................... Director of Music
(music.director@gracealex.org)
Paul Evans...........................................................................Seminarian
Pedro Hernandez........................................................................ Sexton
Vestry
Executive Committee
Elizabeth Legere ...........................................................Senior Warden
Alison Campbell............................................................Junior Warden
Cleve Corlett.............................................................................Treasurer
Diana Jarrett..............................................................................Register
Stephanie Reed........................................................ Member at Large
Class of 2021
Cleve Corlett............................................................................ Treasurer
Diana Jarrett..............................................................................Register
Jennifer Pease..........................................................................Outreach
Kemp Williams......................................................................... Worship
Class of 2022
Ford Chinworth................................................................Stewardship
Alison Campbell..........................................................Junior Warden
Jenny Cline .......................................................Education and Youth
Erin Kelly...........................................................Education and Youth
Stephanie Reed .......................................................Member at Large
Class of 2023
Carlos Arboleda............................................................. Pastoral Care
Tracy Enger.........................................................................Fellowship
Robby Schrum...................................................................Evangelism
Evan Robinson..................................................... Assistant Treasurer
Dan Pattarini........................................................... Communications
Parish Team Leaders
Liz Rugaber.................................................................Communications
Michael Jones............................................................................Worship
Cindy MacIntyre.................................................................. Evangelism
Mary Toler.........................................................................Pastoral Care
Lynn Rohrs.............................................................................Fellowship
Judy Willard............................................................................. Outreach
Grace Notes July/August 2021 Page 26You can also read
